In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about cricket, specifically the IPL.
A few weeks ago, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 concluded, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) became the champions for the first time in 18 years. This was their fourth appearance in the final.
Judging by the performances of the players from various franchises, the IPL 2025 Dream Team would look like this.
1 Sai Sudharsan– The 23-year-old Gujarat titan opener was the highest run-getter in IPL 2025, smashing 759 runs @ an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.17, with one century and six fifties. Despite scoring at an impressive run rate, he never really resorted to slogs across the line to delight the purists of the game.
2 Virat Kohli– RCB’s No. 18 finally lifted the IPL crown at his 18th attempt. He is the only player in the history of IPL who for the last 18 years is playing for one franchise RCB only. Kohli continued his amazing run with the bat, going past the 600-run mark for the third time in IPL. In this season, he hit eight fifties @ strike rate of 144.71, with an average of 54.75.
3 Mitchell Marsh– He was among the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for Lucknow Super Giant (LSG). The Australian was one of the most dominant batters as he blazed through the Powerplay in IPL 2025. He smashed 627 runs in 13 games @ strike rate of 163.70 with one century and six fifties.
4 Shreyas Iyer (Captain)- He really scripted history again. Having led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title last year, he guided Punjab Kings (PBKS) to their first IPL final in 11 years. Despite the loss in the final, hiss aggressive leadership and tactical acumen earned universal praise. He is the only captain to lead three teams to final-Delhi Capitals, KKR and PBKS. Overall he tallied 604 runs @ strike rate of 175.07 with six fifties.
5 Suryakumar Yadav– Mumbai Indians’(MI) batting star set IPL 2025 on fire. He scored 717 runs in 16 matches, @ strike rate of 167.91 with five fifties. He became the first non-opener to go past 700 runs in a single season of IPL, in the process beat the record held by AB de Villiers who made 687 runs in 16 matches for RCB in IPL 2016. Amazingly India’s T20 captain was not dismissed below 25 even once in 16 knocks during this season.
6 Jos Butler (Wicket Keeper)- His mega money move to Gujarat Titans (GT) paid off spectacularly. He took no time to settle in his new team as he blasted 583 runs in 14 matches @ strike rate of 163 with five fifties. The England wicket keeper formed a lethal top order for GT with opener Sudharsan and Gill. His absence in the eliminator match proved costly for GT as they went down to MI.
7 Krunal Pandya– He brought the champions swagger to RCB. The all-rounder won his second Man of the Match (MOM) in the IPL final with his match turning spell of 2/17 in four overs in the final against PBKS. His experience proved vital for RCB in the middle overs as he bagged 17 wickets in this season with economy rate of 8.23. He was the most economical bowlers for RCB.
8 Josh Hazlewood– He led the charge with the ball for RCB. He was RCB’s key bowler, picking up wickets consistently right through the season, for a tally of 22 wickets from 12 games at an economy rate of 8.77. Returning from injury after missing few games Hazlewood sent PBKS crashing for 101, as he took 3/21 in 3.1 overs to power RCB into the final. Even though he went for runs in the final, his dismissal of opener Priyansh Arya was crucial in restricting PBKS after a brisk start in the Powerplay.
9 Prasidh Krishana– He ruled supreme with the ball, claiming Purple cap for the most wickets in IPL 2025-25 wickets in 15 matches. Playing in first IPL after three years, he was class apart with consistent performance. Even without much support from the other end, he proved to be most dependable bowler for GT. He was spot on with his line and length, bowling as many ass 146 dot balls in the season, which means 24.2 overs out of his 59 overs .
10 Jasprit Bumrah– His return from injury sparked MI’s revival. He missed the first four matches, got MI back on track after slow start as he helped them to six win in a row to reach the playoffs. His deadly Yorker to dismiss Washington Sundar turned the Eliminator match against GT in MI’s favour. He tallied 18 wickets in 12 games at a stunning rate of 6.67-the best this season among bowlers who have sent down 10 or more overs.
11 Noor Ahmad– he enjoyed a memorable debut season with Chennai super Kings (CSK). He lit up dismal campaign for CSK, who finished last this season. He made an instant impact on his debut, dismantling MI with excellent figures of 4/18, and then took 3/36 in the next game with RCB. Overal, he finished with 24 wickets from 14 matches at economy rate of 8.16, with two four-wickets haul.
Impact Subs
1 Shubman Gill– narrowly missed out on the Dream XI despite scoring 650 in 15 games, with six fifties.
2 Vaibhav Suryavanshi-The 14 year old set the IPL on fire with a 35-ball century against GT, becoming the youngest centurion in T20 cricket, and the second quickest in IPL history.
3 Trent Boult– Shone with the ball on his return to MI-finishing as their highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 16 games.
4 Digvesh Rathi– His unique ‘notebook’ celebrations may have caught everyone’s attention but LSG leg-spinner made a big impression with the ball in debut IPL season with 14 wickets in 13 games.
So friends, how do you find this dream team.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
27th June 2025